Endless loop manipulatable to various positions

ABSTRACT

A toy comprising a plurality of hollow tubular segments, each of which segments is angled. The segments are arranged in abutting end-to-end relationship to form an endless structure. The segments are held together elastically. Each segment is rotatable in respect to abutting segments. The toy is thus capable of being twisted into a large number of different positions.

United States Patent Garelick Aug. 26, 1975 956,632 5/1910 Finch 46/26VARIOUS 3,222,072 12/1965 Drcycr 273/153 R UX 3,597,872 8/1971 Vennola46/1 R [75] lnventor: Herbert J. Garelick, St. Paul Minn.

[73] Assignee: Garelick' Mfg. Co., St. Paul Park,

Minn.

[22] Filed: May 23, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 472,637

[52] US. Cl 46/1 R [51] Int. C1. A63H 33/00 [58] Field of Search 46/1 R,152; 273/153 R, 273/153 S, 155, 152; 35/26, 27, 28, 71

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 510.216 12/1893 Waibcl273/155 UX Primary ExaminerF. Barry Shay Attorney, Agent, or FirmMark W.Gehan [5 7 ABSTRACT A toy comprising a plurality of hollow tubularsegments, each of which segments is angled. The segments are arranged inabutting end-to-end relationship to form an endless structure. Thesegments are held together elastically. Each segment is rotatable inrespect to abutting segments. The toy is thus capable of being twistedinto a large number of different positions.

3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures ENDLESS LOOP MANIPULATABLE TO VARIOUSPOSITIONS i This invention relates to a. novel toy which may be used foramusement, distraction or relaxation. It may be twisted into a varietyof difi'erent positions, and of fers a challenge to the user to put itinto a particular new position.

In the embodiment shown, the toy is made up of 12 hollow tubularsegments, each of which is formed with a 90 angle at its midportion.Each Segment is held in abutting juxtaposition to adjoining segments byan elastic band, to form an endless structure. Each segment may betwisted, or rotated in respect to adjoining segments; thereby causingthe entire structure to assume (depending upon the degree of rotation towhich particular segments have been subjected) a variety of differentpositions.

Referring now the the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a flat, plan view of the toy, in a position in which it formsthree diamond shaped units.

FIG. 2 is a central horizontal sectional view of one segment plus ashort portion of each adjoining segment, to show the plastic bearingsleeves which serve to connect adjoining segments; said FIG. 2 alsoshowing the elastic material which serves to hold the total number ofsegments in the toy in abutting juxtaposition.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the toy in a cruciform arrangement, butin which one arm of the cross has been turned 90 downwardly; the armopposed to said first arm has been turned 90 upwardly; and the tworemaining arms lie on the same plane as each other extendingperpendicularly to the said turned arms.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toy in a tighter, twisted position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the toy in a flat cruciform position.

FIG. 6 is a variant of the view shown in FIG. 1; in which the threediamond shaped unit is maintained but in which said diamond units arenot in a flat position.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view, taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view, taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail reference characters 2Athrough 2L designate 12 identical segments of cylindrical tubing. Eachof those segments is turned at its mid portion, to provide a rightangled elbow 3A through 3L.

Reference characters 4a-4l and 4a'-4l' refer to the ends of segments2A-2L. It will be noted that the end 4a on segment 2A abuts the end 41on segment 2L. Similarly, the other end of segment 2A, namely 4a abutsthe end of segment 28, namely 4b. Likewise, end 4b abuts end 4c ofsegment 2C; end 40 of segment 2C abuts end 4d of segment 2D; end 4d ofsegment 2D abuts end 4e of segment 2E; and so on until end 41', ofsegment 2L abuts end 4a of segment 2A, as previously described.

Identical plastic bearing sleeves 5 are fitted within the open ends ofeach abutting segment 2A-2L. These plastic bearing sleeves are of across-sectional diameter slightly greater than the inner diameter of thetubular segments 2A-2L so that they will form a slidable bearing surfaceabout which segments 2A-2L may rotate. Each of said plastic bearingsleeves 5 is bisected by the abutting edges of the adjoining tubularsegments 2A-2l... Each end of each plastic bearing sleeve 5 extends intoan adjoining and abutting segment approximately onehalf its length, andeach plastic bearing sleeve is sufiiciently long so as to provide a goodbearing surface within the end of each adjoining tubular segment 2A-2L.

A length of elastic material 6 is strung through the entire assembly,consisting of tubular segments 2A through 2L and plastic bearing sleeves5. This elastic material 6, when unstretched, if of a length somewhatless than the total length of the segments 2A through 2L, and thusserves to keep the abutting ends of said tubular segments injuxtaposition when the device is at rest, to form an endless structure.

The opposed ends of elastic material 6.are joined by clipping, stapling,or splicing or in any other conventional manner, in order to form saidelastic material into an endless loop.

The particular toy described is, obviously, subject to manymodifications. For example, each of segments 2A through 2L could bemodified to incorporate an angle of lesser or greater degree than Inother embodiments of the toy, the number of segments might be increasedor decreased, and the particular dimensions of each segment might bemodified. Also, different segments in any particular embodiment might beof a length different from the length of other segments in thatembodiment; or be formed with angles different from the angles of othersegments within the same embodiment'.

The device is intended to provide a toy which can be manipulated into amyriad of different positions. It can, for example, be put in the flatposition shown in FIG. 1 (which resembles diamond configurations); or itcan be manipulated to be put in a large number of differentconfigurations; for example, the configurations shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5,and 6.

Indeed, inasmuch as the adjoining segments can be twisted in innumerablepositions, the device as a whole can be put into an infinite number ofdifferent configurations.

The devicefunctions to amuse and relax the user thereof. It may be saidto be a conversation piece.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A toy comprising a plurality of hollow, tubular segments; each ofsaid segments being formed with an angle to provide an elbow andarranged in abutting end-to-end juxtaposition; means at the ends ofabutting segments forming a surface around which said abutting segmentsmay be rotated with respect to each other; and an endless loop ofelastic material strung under tension through the entire structure, saidtoy being adapted to be manipulated into a variety of differentpositions.

2. A toy comprising a plurality of hollow, tubular segments; each ofsaid segments being formed with an angle to provide an elbow andarranged in abutting end-to-end juxtaposition; means forming a surfacearound which said segments may be rotated with respect to each other,said means comprising a plurality of plastic sleeves; each of saidsleeves being fitted within the adjoining ends of abutting Segments; andan endless loop of elastic material strung under tension through theentire structure, said toy being adapted to be manipulated into avariety of different positions.

3. A toy comprising a plurality of hollow, tubular segments, a pluralityof plastic sleeves, and an endless loop which said abutting segments maybe rotated with respect to each other; said elastic material beingstrung under tension through the entire structure.

1. A toy comprising a plurality of hollow, tubular segments; each ofsaid segments being formed with an angle to provide an elbow andarranged in abutting end-to-end juxtaposition; means at the ends ofabutting segments forming a surface around which said abutting segmentsmay be rotated with respect to each other; and an endless loop ofelastic material strung under tension through the entire structure, saidtoy being adapted to be manipulated into a variety of differentpositions.
 2. A toy comprising a plurality of hollow, tubular segments;each of said segments being formed with an angle to provide an elbow andarranged in abutting end-to-end juxtaposition; means forming a surfacearound which said segments may be rotated with respect to each other,said means comprising a plurality of plastic sleeves; each of saidsleeves being fitted within the adjoining ends of abutting segments; andan endless loop of elastic material strung under tension through theentire structure, said toy being adapted to be manipulated into avariety of different positions.
 3. A toy comprising a plurality ofhollow, tubular segments, a plurality of plastic sleeves, and an endlessloop of elastic material; each of said segments being formed with anangle to provide an elbow; said segments being arranged in abuttingend-to-end juxtaposition; said plastic sleeves being inserted within theopen ends of abutting segments thereby providing means around which saidabutting segments may be rotated with respect to each other; saiDelastic material being strung under tension through the entirestructure.